Today is one of those stages that on paper shouldn’t have too big an effect on the General Classification – but could be a potential banana peel for Jonas Vingegaard.
Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:’tX-M2HbuRGFxI9Hk1utyCw’,sig:’aVIjfiwJZobv3ccWZDkvn64k2qQsxm5maEhM9Tozj4o=’,w:’594px’,h:’396px’,items:’1408907852′,caption: true ,tld:’com’,is360: false })});The Stage is 192km long but there’s almost not a flat kilometre from start to finish. It has the feel of a Belgian Classic and as such should draw out the Classics riders. Luckily for Jonas Vingegaard he has multiple “Monument Men” at his disposal to protect him today. Both Wout Van Aert and Primoz Roglic’s skill sets suit today’s parcour, however it also really suits Tadej Pogacar.
The race starts on a downhill but is shortly followed by a Cat3 of 7.7km@3.9%, this will likely settle the break early much to the relief of the Peloton that has often seen the first hour ridden at +50kph with teams trying to establish the ideal breakaway.
We predict the punchy riders will compose the majority of the break. Bahrain Merida are in desperate need of a result, Fred Wright has come close a few times but riders such as Matej Mahoric and Dylan Teuns have been ominously quiet. They didn’t have the greatest start to the tour with an early morning drug raid by the authorities in Denmark, unlike last year where their raid was followed by an emphatic victory by Matej Mahoric who unwisely used the zipped lip celebration. 🤐
Whoever may end up out-front, this stage will be decided on the Côte de la Croix Nerve Montée Jalabert, a 3km/10.2% climb that tops out about 1500m from the line. If Tadej Pogacar is to break down Jonas Vingegaard this climb will suit him better than most, Jonas prefers the longer more gradual climbs so if Tadej gets a gap and secures a stage win it is really game on for the GC with the Pyrenees coming next week.
Our Top Picks:
Tadej Pogacar
Matej Mahoric
Outside Picks:
Michael Matthews
Leonard Kamna
Danny Martinez
Our Winner:
Tadej Pogacar
